To see the first film, please copy and paste this URL into your browser:

As some of you may already be aware, our Young Monarchists are engaged in making three short films this summer, a project made possible by the generosity of Dr Roy Eappen, the response to the League’s first Silent Auction and the time and talents of the participants led by film-maker Chris Jefferies and our YM Vice-Chairman Neil MacAlasdair – as well as the anticipated support of many other League members.

The films will be posted on social media, and form a significant part of our outreach across Canada. The second one will feature a diverse assortment of League members speaking about their loyalty and their support of the League’s work. The third will focus on some of the League’s day-to-day activities.

We hope over the next year to produce a similar film in the French language.

It is with sadness that we have heard of the death yesterday of the Revd DerekNicholls, long-serving Regina/South Saskatchewan Branch Chairman and very much the public face of the League in Saskatchewan for many years. An appreciation of his life and service to Crown and League will of course appear in a future edition of Canadian Monarchist News.

REVEREND DEREK FREDERICK NICHOLLS. Born November 22, 1932 – Died May 7, 2014 Will be loved and remembered foreverDerek died peacefully at home on Wednesday May 7, 2014 beside his beloved wife, companion and friend, Margaret. He was predeceased by his parents and younger brother. Derek is survived by his wife of 49 years and 5 months, Margaret; sons, Stephen (Dezy) of Sydney, Australia and David of St. Albert, AB; beloved grandchildren, Peter, Kevin, Ariella, Brian and Alyssa; brother Philip (Diane), sister Carol (Ralph) and sister-in-law Jean and all their children, all of South Wales, UK. Derek was a most dedicated, caring and compassionate priest in the Anglican Church. He was ordained a Deacon in 1964 and Priested in 1965, serving in parishes in England for five years and Canada for the last 44 years. A Memorial Eucharist in Thanksgiving of Derek’s Ministry and Life of 81 years and 6 months, will be held at The Anglican Church of Saint James the Apostle, 1105 Empress Street, Regina, SK on Monday, May 12, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Derek’s memory, may be made to St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral Building Fund, 1861 McIntyre Street, Regina, SK, S4P 2R2 or the Regina Prostate Support Group, Box 37264, Regina, SK, S4P 2R2. – See more at: http://speersfuneralchapel.com/tribute/details/5112/search-result/obituary.html#tribute-start

We send our sympathy and affection to Margaret, who was as one with Derek in all his endeavours. Whatever our own faith, we will wish to commend to a merciful Providence the soul of a faithful priest and one of whom a well-loved hymn speaks:

They loved their Lord so dear, so dear,And his love made them strong;
And they followed the right for Jesus’ sakeThe whole of their good lives long

As a personal note, I first met Mr. Nicholls at a book launch in Government House in Regina for The Crown and Canadian Federalism (though we had corresponded a little before that). I was very pleased to recognise another Monarchist at the function, when he asked how I knew I said it was because of his Diamond Jubilee lapel pins! He had long been planning to come to Saskatoon and give us northerners the benefit of his wisdom and many years of experience but it was sadly not to be.

Reinstatement of Knights and Dames in the Order of Australia

When will the first appointments be made (and of whom)?

Governors-General become a Knight or Dame of the Order of Australia by virtue of their appointment as Governor-General.

This means that, from 25 March 2014, Ms Bryce is Her Excellency the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO. From 28 March 2014, on retirement from the office of Governor-General, she will be styled the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO.

From 28 March 2014, on his swearing in as Governor-General, General Cosgrove becomes a Knight of the Order of Australia. He will be styled His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd).

How will people be nominated for appointment as Knights and Dames?

Recommendations for other awards in the Order are made by the Council for the Order of Australia to the Governor-General. However, for Knights and Dames the Prime Minister will make recommendations for appointments to Her Majesty The Queen for approval.

How many appointments will be made?

There will be a maximum of 4 appointments a year, excluding honorary appointments of non-Australian citizens.

Will people previously appointed as Companions in the Order (AC) have the opportunity to convert their title to Knight/Dame?

No. The titles of Knight and Dame are a level above Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia. The Order now consists of 5 levels:

AK/AD – Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia

AC – Companion of the Order of Australia

AO – Officer of the Order of Australia

AM – Member of the Order of Australia

OAM – Medal of the Order of Australia

Where does Knight/Dame in the Order of Australia come in the order of precedence?

Knight/Dame in the Order of Australia (AK/AD) is already included in the Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards.

Australia’s highest gallantry and bravery awards, the Victoria Cross for Australia (VC) and the Cross of Valour (CV), are the only Australian awards that take precedence over Knights and Dames in the Order of Australia.

Some honours that can be awarded to Australians by Her Majesty The Queen in Her personal gift also take precedence: Knight/Lady of the Garter (KG/LG), Knight/Lady of the Thistle (KT/LT) and Order of Merit (OM).

Some imperial awards no longer available to Australians are also listed higher than AK/AD: George Cross (GC) and Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB).

What do you call the spouse of a Knight/Dame?

The general protocol is that the wife of a Knight is known as ‘Lady’ followed by the knight’s surname. There may be variations in particular circumstances. The husband of a Dame does not derive any style or title from his wife.

The Diefenbaker Canada Centre at the University of Saskatchewan has unveiled a new exhibit (the opening of which they were kind enough to invite me to) entitled a Queen and Her Country. This is a wonderful exhibit of our long reigning sovereign’s role in Canada including many extremely valuable artefacts. I strongly recommend that everyone come and see this new exhibit on loan at the Diefenbaker Centre before it returns to Ontario.